Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine of the present invention comprises a detecting part configured to detect a change in physical phenomenon occurring in a predetermined region of a game board through which a gaming ball is passable; an illegality detecting means configured to detect an illegal action based upon detection of a change in physical phenomenon by the detecting part, the change being different from a change in physical phenomenon occurring when the gaming ball passes through the predetermined region; and an output means configured to output an illegality signal indicating detection of the illegal action based upon the detection of the illegal action by the illegality detecting means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of priority based on Japanese PatentApplication No. 2005-189739 filed on Jun. 29, 2005.

The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine comprising a detectingpart configured to detect a change in physical phenomenon occurring in apredetermined region of a game board through which a gaming ball ispassable.

2. Discussion of the Background

Conventional examples of the gaming machine of the kind described aboveinclude a pachinko gaming machine. Generally, in the pachinko gamingmachine, when a pachinko ball having been launched to a game boardenters a regular winning opening in the course of flowing down on thegame board face, prize balls are paid out. Further, when the pachinkoball passes through a passing gate, a start winning opening is kept openfor a predetermined time period. When the pachinko ball enters the startwinning opening that is open, prize balls are paid out while a variabledisplay of special symbols is executed. A combination of special symbolswhen the variable display of them is stopped becomes a specific mode, abig hit game is played. In the big hit game, a special winning openingis kept open for a predetermined time period, and when the pachinko ballenters the special winning opening that is open, prize balls are paidout. Moreover, when the pachinko ball enters a V-zone within the specialwinning opening that is open, the special winning opening which hasclosed opens again so that the big hit game is continued. Predeterminedregions through which the gaming ball is passable, such as the passinggate, the V-zone and each of the winning openings, are each providedwith a ball passing sensor to detect the pachinko ball having passedtherethrough. As such a ball passing sensor, a sensor that employs aproximity sensor using a Hall element or a permanent magnet, and asensor that employs a photo sensor using an LED (Light Emitting Diode)or PD (Photo Diode) are known.

The following action has been known as an illegal action on the ballpassing sensor. That is to make the sensor perform a false detection sothat prize balls are illegally paid out, by irradiating with lightintentionally in the case of the photo sensor, or by transmitting anelectromagnetic wave intentionally by a radiowave transmitter in thecase of the proximity sensor. As a countermeasure against such illegalactions, JP-A 10-286344 proposes a pachi-slot machine (Japaneseslot-machine) including a gaming ball detecting device which isconfigured to inhibit output of a detection signal from a ball detectingpart of a ball passing sensor at the time of detecting the illegalaction so that prize balls are not paid out.

However, with the constitution configured to inhibit output of thedetection signal from the ball passing sensor at the time of detectingan illegal action, as the above-mentioned gaming ball detecting devicein the conventional pachi-slot machine, temporary prevention of anillegal action, such as cancellation of payout of prize balls from aball disbursement device at the time of detecting an illegal action, ispossible, but it has not been possible to take a fundamental illegalityprevention measure, such as stop of the game itself played by the playertaking the illegal action or disclosure of an illegal action on the sideof the manager who manages the gaming machine.

The contents of JP-A 10-286344 (1999) are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide agaming machine capable of preventing an illegal action on a ball passingsensor as well as capable of excluding an illegal action performer anddisclosing an illegal action by controlling not only a ball disbursementdevice but also other devices at the time of detecting an illegalaction.

Therefore, the present invention provides a gaming machine comprising:

a detecting part configured to detect a change in physical phenomenonoccurring in a predetermined region of a game board through which agaming ball is passable;

an illegality detecting means configured to detect an illegal actionbased upon detection of a change in physical phenomenon by the detectingpart, the change being different from a change in physical phenomenonoccurring when the gaming ball passes through the predetermined region;and

an output means configured to output an illegality signal indicatingdetection of the illegal action based upon the detection of the illegalaction by the illegality detecting means.

According to this constitution, when an illegal action is taken, and thedetecting part detects a change in physical phenomenon that is differentfrom a change in physical phenomenon occurring when the gaming ballpasses through the predetermined region, the illegality detecting meansdetects an illegal action, and an illegality signal indicating detectionof an illegal action is outputted. Therefore, with the use of thisillegality signal, it is possible not only to temporarily cancel payoutof prize balls at the time of detecting an illegal action, but also totake a fundamental illegality prevention measure, such as stop of thegame itself played by the player taking the illegal action or disclosureof an illegal action on the side of the manager who manages the gamingmachine.

Further, according to the present invention, the gaming machine furthercomprises a control means configured to control the operation of thegaming machine. Herein, the output means outputs the illegality signalto the control means based upon the detection of an illegal action bythe illegality detecting means so as to make the control means controlthe operation of the gaming machine in a manner according to thedetection of an illegal action.

With this constitution, when the detecting part detects an illegalaction and an illegality signal is outputted, the control means havingreceived this signal controls the operation of the gaming machine in amanner according to the detection of an illegal action. This for exampleenables notification of the illegal action as well as control of thegaming machine, such as stopping of control of launch of the gamingball, payout of prize balls, changes of special symbols and the like.

Further, according to the present invention, the detecting part detectsthe change in physical phenomenon as an electric signal, and theillegality detecting means determines that an illegal action has beentaken when level of the electric signal detected by the detecting partis at a predetermined electric signal level which is greater than levelof an electric signal detected when the gaming ball passes through thepredetermined region.

In the case of an illegal action by means of an electromagnetic wavewhere a radiowave is intentionally transmitted by a radiowavetransmitter to make the detecting part perform a false detection so thatthe prize balls are illegally paid out, an electric signal leveldetected by the detecting part is greater than an electric signal leveldetected when the gaming ball passes through. With the above-mentionedconstitution, since the illegality determining means determines that anillegal action has been taken when the electric signal level detected bythe detecting part is greater than the electric signal level detectedwhen the gaming ball passes through the predetermined region, it ispossible to prevent the illegal action by means of an electromagneticwave.

Further, according to the present invention, the output means outputsthe illegality signal with a length different from a length of a signalwhich is outputted when the illegality detecting means is not detectingan illegal action.

With this constitution, since the illegality signal is different only inlength from a signal which is outputted when the illegality detectingmeans is not detecting an illegal action, it is possible to constitute asimple circuit which receives a signal outputted from the illegalitydetecting means and determines whether or not the received signal is anillegality signal.

As thus described, the present invention provides a gaming machine whichenables a fundamental illegality prevention measure, such as stop of thegame itself played by the player taking the illegal action or disclosureof an illegal action on the side of the manager who manages the gamingmachine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit constitutionof the pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a gaming ball detection switch in thepachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4A is a timing chart of a signal outputted from an output pulsegeneration circuit of the pachinko gaming machine according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a timing chart of a signal outputted from an output pulsegeneration circuit of the pachinko gaming machine according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Next, best embodiments of the present invention are described.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 10 according to bestembodiments where the gaming machine of the present invention is appliedto a pachinko gaming machine.

A game board 11 is provided on the front face of the pachinko gamingmachine 10. An upper tray 12 is provided below the game board 11. Ahandle 14, which is operated in launching a pachinko ball to the gameboard 11 through a rail 13, is provided on the right side below theupper tray 12. Further, an illumination LED (Light Emitting Diode) 15 aand an irregularity notification LED 15 b are provided above the gameboard 11.

An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 16 as a special symbol display device isprovided at the center of the face of the game board 11. A plurality ofspecial symbols in three rows, comprising a left symbol, a middle symboland a right symbol, are displayed on the LCD 16, and an effect image isdisplayed behind these special symbols. Over the LCD 16, a regularsymbol display device 17 is provided in parallel with a green LED and ared LED which are respectively provided to the left and right sides ofthe regular symbol display device 17. A regular starting storage numberdisplay section 18 comprising four LEDs is provided with the regularsymbol display device 17 placed therebetween. Moreover, a specialstarting storage number display section 19 comprising four LEDs isprovided below the LCD 16. A passing hole 20 is provided to each of theright and left of the LCD 16. A start winning opening 21 is providedbelow the LCD 16. A special winning opening 22 is provided below thestart winning opening 21. A regular winning opening 23 is provided toeach of the right and left sides of the start winning opening 21.

In the regular starting storage number display section 18, passage ofthe pachinko balls through the passing hole 20 is stored in number up tofour as reserved balls. In the special starting storage number displaysection 19, entry of the pachinko balls through the start winningopening 21 is stored in number up to four as reserved balls.

Moreover, a card unit 24 is provided on the left side of the pachinkogaming machine 10. When a card with a card balance recorded thereon isinserted into a card insertion slot 24 a of the card unit 24 and apredetermined ball lending operation is performed by the player, thepachinko balls in number corresponding to a preset lending unit sum aresupplied to the upper tray 12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main constitution of an electroniccircuit configured to process and control the game operation of thepachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment. Thiselectronic circuit is comprised of: a main control circuit 30 configuredto control a game process; an effect control circuit 40 configured toproduce an effect of the game according to a command from the maincontrol circuit 30; a disbursement/launching control circuit 60configured to control payout of prize balls or the like and launching ofa pachinko ball; and the like. The card unit 24 is connected to thisdisbursement/launching control circuit 60.

Mounted on the main control circuit 30 are electronic components such asa main CPU 31, an initial reset circuit 32 and a serial communication IC33. Further, also mounted on the main control circuit 30 are a main ROM(not shown) where a program is stored for use by the main CPU 31 inprocessing and controlling the game operation of the pachinko gamingmachine 10, and a main RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) where dataare temporarily stored while the game operation is processed andcontrolled. The initial reset circuit 32 transmits a reset signal fordeleting contents of a gaming state stored in the main RAM at the timeof activating the main control circuit 30. Moreover, the serialcommunication IC 33 transmits a control signal sent out from the mainCPU 31 to the control circuits 40 and 60 in a serial manner.

A gate switch 20S provided on the inner side of the passing hole 20 andconfigured to detect passage of the pachinko ball through the passinghole 20, and a start winning ball switch 21S configured to detect thepachinko ball having entered the start winning opening 21 are connectedto the main control circuit 30. Also, a count switch 22S configured todetect the pachinko ball having entered the special winning opening 22,a V-count switch 22V configured to detect the pachinko ball havingpassed through a specific region inside the special winning opening 22,and a regular winning ball switch 23S configured to detect the pachinkoball having entered the regular winning opening 23 are connected to themain control circuit 30. As actuators, a start winning opening solenoid21 a configured to extend a ball receiving slot of the start winningopening 21, a special winning opening solenoid 22 a configured to openand close the door of the special winning opening 22, a specific regionleading device 34 configured to lead the pachinko ball out of thespecific region after the pachinko ball has entered the specific regioninside the special winning opening 22, and the like are connected to themain control circuit 30.

When each of the above-mentioned switches 20S, 21S, 22S, 22V and 23Sdetects the pachinko ball, a detection signal is inputted into the mainCPU 31 of the main control circuit 30. The main CPU 31 controls drivingof each of the above-mentioned actuators 21 a, 22 a and 34 according tothe inputted detection signals.

The effect control circuit 40 performs: an image display control ofdisplaying an image on the LCD 16; a sound control of allowing releaseof effective sound from a speaker 47; and a control of emitting lightfrom the illumination LED 15 a and the irregularity notification LED 15b according to a gaming state or irregularity detection. On this effectcontrol circuit 40, a sub-CPU 41, a program ROM 42 and a work RAM 43 aremounted. The sub-CPU 41 translates a control command received from themain control circuit 30 and sets a parameter of a VDP (Video DisplayProcessor) 44. In the program ROM 42, a control program is stored foruse by the sub-CPU 41 in processing and controlling each of theoperations of the LCD 16, the speaker 47 and the illumination LED 15 a.The work RAM 43 serves as a temporary storage means at the time when thesub-CPU 41 processes and controls the operations according to theabove-mentioned control program.

Further, an image data ROM 45, a VDP 44 and an initial reset circuit 46are mounted on the effect control circuit 40. The image data ROM 45stores dot data for forming an image to be displayed on the LCD 16. TheVDP 44 reads the dot data in the image data ROM 45 according to theparameter set in the sub-CPU 41 to produce image data for displaying animage on the LCD 16. The initial reset circuit 46 transmits a resetsignal for resetting the effect control circuit 40.

When the pachinko ball enters the start winning opening 21 to generatestart winning, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the game is tobe a big hit game. The effect control circuit 40 makes the specialsymbols stop sequentially and be displayed on the LCD 16 in a modecorresponding to the result of the determination. When the game getsinto a reach state where the right and left symbols stopped anddisplayed are equivalent to each other, a reach effect is produced bymeans of the special symbol and the effect image on LCD 16.

Further, the effect control circuit 40 is provided with a speakerdriving circuit configured to control the speaker 47, and a drivecircuit 52 configured to control the emission from the illumination LED15 a and the irregularity notification LED 15 b. The sub-CPU 41 outputsdrive signals respectively to the speaker driving circuit and the drivecircuit 52.

The speaker driving circuit comprises a sound source IC 48 as a sectionconfigured to generate an original signal of effective sound, a soundsource data ROM 49 as an effective sound storage section connected tothe sound source IC 48, an amplifier 50 as amplification sectionconfigured to amplify a sound signal outputted from the sound source IC48, and a volume change-over switch 51 configured to set a volume outputlevel. The drive circuit 52 performs an illumination control, that is, acontrol of emission from the illumination LED 15 a according to thegaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in response to a drivesignal from the sub-CPU 41. The drive circuit 52 also performs anemission control, that is, a control of emission from the irregularitynotification LED 15 b according to later-described detection ofirregularity with regard to each of the switches 20S, 21S, 22S, 22V and23S.

A disbursement device 61 configured to pay out prize balls and lentballs, and a launching device 62 configured to launch the pachinko ballonto the game board 11 are connected to the disbursement/launchingcontrol circuit 60. The disbursement/launching control circuit 60controls driving of the disbursement device 61 in response to a prizeball disbursement command signal outputted from the main control circuit30 according to each kind of the winning so that prize balls are paidout, while controlling driving of the launching device 62 according tothe operation of the handle 14 so that the pachinko ball is launched.The paid prize balls are counted by a prize ball count switch 63, andthe counted value is outputted to the disbursement/launching controlcircuit 60 and the main control circuit 30. Further, thedisbursement/launching control circuit 60 controls driving of thedisbursement device 61 according to a lent ball disbursement commandsignal outputted from the card unit 24 so that lent balls are paid out.The paid lent balls are counted by a lent ball count switch 64, and thecounted value is outputted to the disbursement/launching control circuit60.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit constitution of the start winning ball switch21S. Each of the switches 20S, 22S, 22V, 23S, 63 and 64, other than thestart winning ball switch 21S, has a circuit constitution similar tothat of the switch 21S, and drawing thereof is thus omitted.

A magnetic detection element 71 is comprised of a Hall element, amagnetoresistive element and the like, and detects a magnetic changethat occurs when the pachinko ball passes through the inside of thestart winning opening 21 to output a ball passing detection signal as anelectric signal. The magnetic detection element 71 constitutes adetecting part configured to detect a change in physical phenomenon (amagnetic change in the present embodiment) that occurs in apredetermined region (the opening region of the start winning opening 21with regard to the start winning ball switch 21S) of the game board 11through which the pachinko ball is passable.

An amplifier 72 amplifies a detection signal outputted from the magneticdetection element 71. A noise filter 73 is a circuit configured toremove a frequency component of a high-frequency band such as anexternal noise included in a signal outputted from the amplifier 72. Thenoise filter 73 is activated in synchronization with a synchronizationpulse inputted from a pulse generation circuit 79. A Schmitt circuit 76is a circuit configured to determine a reception level of a detectionsignal. When a reception level of a detection signal inputted throughthe noise filter 73 is not lower than a lower limit level correspondingto a predetermined threshold level, the Schmitt circuit 76 determinesthat the magnetic detection element 71 has detected passage of thepachinko ball, and outputs a detection signal.

A peak hold circuit 74 is a circuit configured to hold the maximum valueof the reception level of the detection signal inputted through thenoise filter 73 upon output of the detection signal from the Schmittcircuit 76, and then output the maximum value. In a comparator 75, aninverting input terminal is provided with a predetermined voltage as anoutput reference voltage, and the maximum value of the reception levelinputted from the peak hold circuit 74 is inputted into thenon-inverting input terminal. The comparator 75 compares the maximumvalue of the reception level outputted from the peak hold circuit 74with the output reference voltage, and outputs a comparison result. Anoutput determining device 77 is an AND circuit configured to calculate alogical product of an input signal from the Schmitt circuit 76 and aninput signal from the comparator 75. Only when a detection signalindicating detection of ball passage is outputted from the Schmittcircuit 76, and also the comparison result indicating that the maximumvalue of the reception level of the detection signal is not greater thanthe output reference voltage is inputted from the comparator 75, theoutput determining device 77 determines that the detection by themagnetic detection element 71 is normal and outputs a ball detectionsignal.

When an illegal action is taken, such as intentional transmission of anelectromagnetic wave by the radiowave transmitter, the comparator 75outputs a comparison result, indicating that the maximum value of thereception level of the detection signal has exceeded the outputreference voltage. In this case, the comparator 75 has detected that theelectric signal level received by the magnetic detection element 71 isat a predetermined electric signal level that exceeds the outputreference voltage being greater than the electric signal level which isto be received upon passage of the pachinko ball through a predeterminedregion. With this detection, the output determining device 77 determinesthat an illegal action has been taken, and outputs an irregularitydetection signal. The peak hold circuit 74, the comparator 75 and theoutput determining device 77 constitute an illegality detecting meansconfigured to detect an illegal action based upon detection of a changein physical phenomenon by the magnetic detection element 71, the changebeing different from a change in physical phenomenon that occurs whenthe pachinko ball passes through the predetermined region.

Upon input of the ball detection signal or the irregularity detectionsignal from the output determining device 77, an output pulse generationcircuit 78 outputs the inputted ball detection signal or irregularitydetection signal to the main CPU 31 in synchronization with asynchronization pulse inputted from the pulse generation circuit 79. Theoutput pulse generation circuit 78 constitutes an output meansconfigured to output the irregularity detection signal as an illegalitysignal indicating that an illegal action has been detected based uponthe detection of an illegal action by the illegality detecting means. Inthe present embodiment, the output pulse generation circuit 78 outputsthe irregularity detection signal with a length different from a lengthof the ball detection signal outputted when the illegality detectingmeans is not detecting an illegal action. The main CPU 31 constitutes acontrol means configured to control the operation of the pachinko gamingmachine 10. The output pulse generation circuit 78 outputs theirregularity detection signal to the main CPU 31 based upon thedetection of an illegal action by the illegality detecting means so asto make the main CPU 31 control the operation of the pachinko gamingmachine 10 in a manner according to the detection of an illegal action.In the present embodiment, the operation of the pachinko gaming machine10 is controlled such that the irregularity notification LED 15 b islighted to notify an illegal action. Each of the foregoing circuits issupplied with a stable voltage by a constant power source circuit 80comprised of a regulator and the like.

Next, with regard to the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to thepresent embodiment having the above-mentioned constitution, detection ofpassage of the pachinko ball by each of the switches 20S, 21S, 22S, 22V,23S, 63 and 64 is described, taking the start winning ball switch 21S asan example.

In the case where the magnetic detection element 71 is not detecting amagnetic change, no detection signal is outputted from the Schmittcircuit 76 since a reception level which is equal to or greater than thelower limit level is not detected in the Schmitt circuit 76. Hence thepeak hold circuit 74 is not activated, and the output determining device77 and the output pulse generation circuit 78 are not activated either.Therefore, no signal is outputted from the output pulse generationcircuit 78.

Starting from such a state, when the pachinko ball enters the startwinning opening 21 and the magnetic detection element 71 detects amagnetic change, a reception level not lower than the lower limit levelis detected in the Schmitt circuit 76, and a detection signal isoutputted from the Schmitt circuit 76. The detection signal is thusinputted into the peak hold circuit 74, and the activation of the peakhold circuit 74 is then started. The maximum value of the receptionlevel is inputted from the peak hold circuit 74 into the non-invertinginput terminal of the comparator 75. Since the output reference voltageprovided to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 75 is sethigher than the maximum value of the reception level which is to beinputted into the non-inverting input terminal when the pachinko ballenters the start winning opening 21, a comparison result is outputtedfrom the comparator 75, indicating that the maximum value of thereception level is not greater than the output reference voltage. Sincethe detection signal is inputted from the Schmitt circuit 76 and thecomparison result is inputted from the comparator 75 indicating that themaximum value of the reception level is not greater than the outputreference voltage, the output determining device 77 determines thatpassage of the ball has been normally detected by the magnetic detectionelement 71, and outputs a ball detection signal. Since the balldetection signal is inputted from the output determining device 77 intothe output pulse generation circuit 79, the ball detection signal isoutputted from the output pulse generation circuit 79 to the main CPU31. Accordingly, the main CPU 31 performs a control of starting aspecial symbol game based upon the inputted ball detection signal.

Further, when the magnetic detection element 71 detects a magneticchange under the influence of the illegal radiowave, the reception levelinputted from the magnetic detection element 71 into the non-invertinginput terminal of the comparator 75 becomes higher than the outputreference voltage provided to the inverting input terminal of thecomparator 75, under the influence of the illegal radiowave. A detectionsignal is inputted from the Schmitt circuit 76 into the outputdetermining device 77, while the comparison result is inputted from thecomparator 75 indicating that the maximum value of the reception levelexceeds the output reference voltage. The output determining device 77determines that the detection by the magnetic detection element 71 isirregular, and outputs an irregularity detection signal to the main CPU31. Therefore, the main CPU 31 performs a control of lighting theirregularity notification LED 15 b based upon the inputted irregularitydetection signal.

FIG. 4A shows a timing chart of a ball detection signal outputted fromthe output pulse generation circuit 79 to the main CPU 31, and FIG. 4Bshows a timing chart of an irregularity detection signal.

The ball detection signal outputted from the output pulse generationcircuit 79 has a time length ranging from time t₀ to t₃, as shown inFIG. 4A. The irregularity detection signal outputted from the outputpulse generation circuit 79 has the length of time ranging from times t₀to t₅. In the main CPU 31, an output level from the output pulsegeneration circuit 79 is determined at predetermined time intervals(time intervals between t₁, t₂ and t₄ in the present embodiment).

When a high-level signal input is detected at times t₁ and t₂ and alow-level signal input is detected at time t₄, the main CPU 31determines that a ball detection signal as shown in FIG. 4(a) has beeninputted. Further, when a high-level signal input is detected at timest₁, t₂ and t₄, the main CPU 31 determines that an irregularity detectionsignal as shown in FIG. 4(b) has been inputted.

According to the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment,as thus described, when an illegal action is taken, the outputdetermining device 77 detects an illegal action and outputs anirregularity detection signal. The output pulse generation circuit 78then outputs an irregularity detection signal with a long pulse widthindicating that an illegal action has been detected, as shown in FIG.4(b). Therefore, with the use of this irregularity detection signal, itis possible not only to simply temporarily cancel payout of prize ballsat the time of detecting an illegal action as is conventionally done,but also to take a fundamental illegality prevention measure, such asstop of the game itself played by the player taking the illegal actionor disclosure of an illegal action on the side of the manager whomanages the gaming machine 10.

Further, according to the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the presentembodiment, when a comparison result is detected by the comparator 75,indicating that the reception level of the detection signal exceeds theoutput reference voltage, and an irregularity detection signal isoutputted from the output pulse generation circuit 79, the main CPU 31,receiving the irregularity detection signal, controls the operation ofthe pachinko gaming machine 10 in a manner according to the detection ofan illegal action. This for example enables notification of an illegalaction as well as control of the pachinko gaming machine 10, such asstopping of control of launch of the gaming ball, payout of prize balls,changes of special symbols and the like.

In the case of an illegal action where a radiowave is intentionallytransmitted by the radiowave transmitter to make the magnetic detectionelement 71 perform a false detection so that prize balls are illegallypaid out, an electric signal level held in the peak hold circuit 74 isgreater than an electric signal level held in the peak hold circuit 74upon passage of the pachinko ball. Therefore, according to the pachinkogaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, since the electric signallevel of a signal detected due to a magnetic change detected by themagnetic detection element 71 is a level greater than an electric signallevel received when the pachinko ball passes through the region which isthe passing hole 20, the start winning opening 21, the special winningopening 22, the regular winning opening 23 or the specific region insidethe special winning opening 22, the illegality determining meansdetermines that an illegal action has been taken, and thereby theillegal action by means of the electromagnetic wave can be prevented.

Furthermore, according to the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the presentembodiment, since an irregularity detection signal as an illegalitysignal is different only in signal length from the signal outputted whenthe output determining device 77 is not detecting an illegal action, itis possible to form a simple circuit constitution which receives asignal outputted from the output determining device 77 and thendetermines whether or not the received signal is an irregularitydetection signal. In the present embodiment, it is possible to simplifythe process, performed by the main CPU 31, for distinguishing whether ornot the signal is an irregularity detection signal.

It is to be noted that in the above description of the embodiment, anexplanation was given for the case where the ball detection signal orthe irregularity detection signal outputted from the output pulsegeneration circuit 79 is inputted into the main CPU 31 of the pachinkogaming machine 10. However, another constitution is allowed where theball detection signal or the irregularity detection signal is inputtedinto a gaming machine managing device configured to manage and monitor aplurality of pachinko gaming machines 10. According to thisconstitution, by reception of the irregularity detection signal by thegaming machine managing device, it is possible to stop the operation ofthe pachinko gaming machine 10 from which the ball detection signal hasbeen outputted. It is also possible on the side of the manager whomanages the gaming machine 10 to detect at an early stage the pachinkogaming machine 10 from which the irregularity detection signal has beenoutputted. This enables not only prevention of payout of prize ballswith respect to the illegal act to the player having taken the illegalaction, but also prevention of the game itself by the player havingtaken the illegal action. Further, since the finding of the pachinkogaming machine 10 from which the irregularity detection signal has beenoutputted can lead to disclosure of the player who has taken the illegalaction, it is possible to take a fundamental illegality preventionmeasure.

Additionally, in the above description of the embodiment, an explanationwas given for the case where the ball detection signal or theirregularity detection signal is outputted from the output pulsegeneration circuit 78 after determination by the output determiningdevice 77 based upon the output signal from the comparator 75 and theoutput signal from the Schmitt circuit 76. However, another constitutionis allowed where the respective output signals are outputted from thecomparator 75 and the Schmitt circuit 76 directly to the main CPU 31,not through the output determining device 77 and the output pulsegeneration circuit 78.

In the above embodiment, an explanation was given for the case where thegaming machine according to the present invention is applied to apachinko gaming machine. However, the present invention is not limitedto this. The operational advantage same as that of the above embodimentcan be obtained in a case where the present invention is applied toanother gaming machine comprising a detecting part configured to detecta change in physical phenomenon that occurs in a predetermined region onthe game board, through which a gaming ball is passable.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a detecting part configured to detect achange in physical phenomenon occurring in a predetermined region of agame board through which a gaming ball is passable; an illegalitydetecting means configured to detect an illegal action based upondetection of a change in physical phenomenon by said detecting part,said change being different from a change in physical phenomenonoccurring when the gaming ball passes through said predetermined region;and an output means configured to output an illegality signal indicatingdetection of the illegal action based upon the detection of the illegalaction by said illegality detecting means.
 2. The gaming machineaccording to claim 1, further comprising a control means configured tocontrol an operation of the gaming machine, wherein said output meansoutputs said illegality signal to said control means based upon thedetection of the illegal action by said illegality detecting means so asto make said control means control the operation of the gaming machinein a manner according to the detection of the illegal action.
 3. Thegaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said detecting part detectssaid change in physical phenomenon as an electric signal, and saidillegality detecting means determines that an illegal action has beentaken when level of the electric signal detected by said detecting partis at a predetermined electric signal level which is greater than levelof an electric signal detected when the gaming ball passes through saidpredetermined region.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1,wherein said output means outputs said illegality signal with a lengthdifferent from a length of a signal which is outputted when saidillegality detecting means is not detecting an illegal action.